Loneliness was an ever-present, soul-crushing feeling for Lucy Heartfilia. She stayed locked in her room all day, listening to music or reading one of her many novels. Or perhaps writing one. But even if she did leave her room, she would still be all alone. Her family was very wealthy, owning an estate. It was huge, one could not see one side from the other. And in her enormous mansion, lived Lucy, the servants, and her parents. A small girl, Lucy just wanted to play. But no longer did her mother or father play a game of chess or tag or anything. Because her mother was sick. Very sick. And her father, well… he left Lucy alone.

All the servants tried to play with young Lucy, but she just craved the attention of her mother and father. She missed the days where her mother would sit with her and read a story or watch a television program. Her father would be sitting in the chair next to the sofa Lucy and Layla, her mother, would be, leaning over her mother's shoulder, smiling. Eyes so bright, full of love. But those eyes now only reflected pain and heartbreak. And disdain. Whenever her father, Jude, looked at her, Lucy felt a shiver travel down her spine. His eyes were dead and empty. The face of a man whom of which was defeated. Drained of love.

The day Lucy's mother died, the sky was blue, clear of clouds. It was just starting to get chilly, and the air felt crisp, and a breeze gusted throughout the lands. Lucy was outside for once, breathing in the cool air, enjoying the wind that rustled the leaves on the trees. Perfect serenity. But, interrupting her solace, a maid rushed towards her. Tear marks streaked down her paled face. Lucy blinked up at the woman. She was newer, younger, and kind. Lucy didn't know her name. That young woman, so pure-hearted, much like Lucy herself, delivered the news that ruined her life.

That night, Lucy had become a sobbing mess. The maids had tried to comfort her, saying her mother was in a better place. But she was still gone, so Lucy cried for her. So she lay in her bed, covers covering her from the real world, agony pouring out of every cell in her body, sobs racking her body and tears sliding down her cheeks. She cried until she felt as though she had no tears left to shed. Then she remained there for hours, not moving, shuddering. Disbelieving. But she knew it to be true. Her mother, the most wonderful person in the world, had died. Had passed into the next life, leaving her daughter on her own.

Jude Heartfilia hadn't smiled ever since.

While Lucy was curled up, a thud reverberated around the room. Eyes opening, Lucy lifted herself from the sheets entwined around her figure. Groggily, she rubbed her fists against her eyes. She sniffed and stood. Lucy glanced around her bedroom. Nothing looked out of place. But then her eyes settled on the mermaid statue her mother had had in her room. It started to move, cracks appearing on the metal skin, crunching noises filling Lucy's ears. Her eyes widened. She stared in fascination as the silver shell broke and inside was another mermaid. She had blue hair, creaming skin, and a gorgeous blue tail that complimented her eyes. She floated above the floor, shaking her head, flinging her hair around. Her eyes met Lucy's. The woman's mouth curled in disgust.

"Who are you?" Lucy asked. Her voice was weak and raspy from crying out. She was getting a headache, too.

"And I could ask you the very same thing, little girl." The mermaid replied, spitting out the words.

"Don't be silly, Aquarius, it's Layla's daughter. Can't you see the resemblance?" Aquarius grunted. Whirling around, Lucy saw the source of the voice. The painting of a woman playing a harp. The woman was moving. In the picture. And then, she wasn't in the picture. A flash of light and she was standing in front of Lucy. Behind her, the mermaid, Aquarius, had grown in size too.

"I'm Lyra, darling. I was a friend of your mother's. I'm so very sorry. You are Lucy, right?" Eyes round and filming over, Lucy nodded. Smiling warming, Lyra motioned towards herself and Aquarius.

"You have no idea who or what we are, do you?" Shaking her head, Lucy wiped her hand over her eyes. They weren't gone.

"We are beings from an entirely different world than yours. A realm where magic exists and mystical creatures roam. A place so enchanting you couldn't imagine it. You have to see it. And you will. But first, let's meet the rest of your new friends." Clapping her hands, Lyra shouted, "Okay guys, you can come out now." Lucy heard noises from the hallway, and the door opened moments later. The grandfather clock was in the doorway. It had a mustache. On her desk, figurines or animals fell and grew. The crab grew into a man holding… scissors? The golden bull into a bull-man holding an axe. A knock at the door, having been vacated by the clock, and in stepped a pink-haired woman in a maid's uniform. Lucy recognized her, she worked for the staff. Joining her, a girl with pink hair and horns, a handsome man with ginger hair that peaked into cat-like ears in a suit, a floating cross, an almost-centaur, a scorpion-man, two small blue things, a goat-man with sunglasses, a compass, and a snowman.

Lucy's mouth fell open, aghast.

"Hello, Lucy." The cat guy said, waving and winking.

"H-hi." Stuttered the lamb shyly. A chorus of 'hellos' and 'nice to meet you's' followed. Lucy smiled, finally.

"Hello. Nice to meet you all too. Did you all come from this magic world Miss Lyra speaks of?" They nodded, 'yeses' answering her. Now time for the hard part.

"Can I… can I…" She trailed off. Lyra urged her on to continue, "can I come with you? Back there, I mean." It was their turn to stare. Whispers started to erupt.

"Is she allowed?"

"Is it possible?"

"Can it happen?"

"Could it be...?"

All eyes drew towards the cat man. His eyebrow was peaked, looking faintly interested. He shrugged.

"Why not try?" He motioned for them all to follow him. He strode across the room, reaching Lucy's mirror. Then, unexpectedly, he stuck his hand into the glass. Shocked, Lucy watched as he pulled himself into it. Once on the other side, he looked back and faced her. He signaled for the others to follow him, so they did. They watched her.

"Now you try, Lucy." Nervous, heart racing, Lucy stretched her hand towards the mirror. It shimmered slightly. Hesitantly, she reached further and then… her fingertip touched the glass. She pressed her palm against it, despair and panic starting to set in.

"No, no, no!" She cried. She pounded the glass, tears slipping down her face. The people all looked disappointed. 'Goodbyes' echoed in her head. Lucy gasped.

"Don't leave! Please! You can't… you-you can't leave." She fell onto her knees. She was going to be alone again.

"Don't fret, Lucy. My name is Loke. Nice to meet you, by the way. I look forward to seeing you again, and I will. Just be patient. We'll come back for you when you're ready. Goodbye, Lucy Heartfilia, for now." And then he disappeared. Faded into the murky depths of the reflection, and all Lucy could see was herself.

How long would she have to wait before they came back?

The next morning, Lucy was wondering if it had all been a dream. But then she heard a maid shriek that a grandfather clock was missing. Lucy couldn't wait.

A/N: Hey guys. Sorry for never posting. My inspiration for this was the movie Coraline. Like the story so far? Want me to continue? Thanks for reading. See ya next time!

~Your Fake Weeaboo